Atheist Defense Network Discussions - Atheist Nexus2017-12-14T02:35:05Zhttp://atheistnexus.org/group/atheistdefensenetwork/forum/topic/list?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe Presenter's paradoxtag:atheistnexus.org,2011-12-15:2182797:Topic:17820032011-12-15T01:05:00.213ZRuth Anthony-Gardnerhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/RuthAnthonyGardner
<p>Giving all of your reasons, both strong and mild, might backfire according to The Presenter's Paradox.</p>
<p>"People who present a bundle of information assume that every favorable piece adds to their overall case and include it in the bundle they present," she says. However, notes Garcia, associate professor of psychology and organizational studies at the University of Michigan, "this strategy backfires, because <strong>the addition of mildly favorable information dilutes the impact of…</strong></p>
<p>Giving all of your reasons, both strong and mild, might backfire according to The Presenter's Paradox.</p>
<p>"People who present a bundle of information assume that every favorable piece adds to their overall case and include it in the bundle they present," she says. However, notes Garcia, associate professor of psychology and organizational studies at the University of Michigan, "this strategy backfires, because <strong>the addition of mildly favorable information dilutes the impact of highly favorable information in the eyes of evaluators</strong>. Hence, presenters of information would be better off if they limited their presentation to their most favorable information... [emphasis mine]</p>
<p></p>
<p>Something to consider in your strategies to defend Atheism.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212124829.htm" target="_blank">... More Not Better, Says New Study</a></p> McCarthyism is alive and well, and aimed at atheiststag:atheistnexus.org,2011-08-05:2182797:Topic:14952402011-08-05T23:11:42.133ZD.O.Shttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/DavidOSmith
<p>No matter what your political leanings might be we should all be able to agree that the current American Values Network campaign is horrendous. Their <a href="http://americanvaluesnetwork.org/aynrandvsjesus/" target="_blank">“Ayn Rand vs. Jesus”</a> campaign seeks to attack conservative Republicans by first demonizing atheists. They are so blinded by their own bigotry that the fail to recognize they have made themselves mirror images of those they are attacking. Libertarian and “Tea Party”…</p>
<p>No matter what your political leanings might be we should all be able to agree that the current American Values Network campaign is horrendous. Their <a href="http://americanvaluesnetwork.org/aynrandvsjesus/" target="_blank">“Ayn Rand vs. Jesus”</a> campaign seeks to attack conservative Republicans by first demonizing atheists. They are so blinded by their own bigotry that the fail to recognize they have made themselves mirror images of those they are attacking. Libertarian and “Tea Party” Republicans focus completely on her political views while ignoring her personal life. The AVN focus entirely on her being an atheist and ignore all other aspects of her life. Of course there is their apparent attitude that atheism is automatically evil.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Please watch the video on their page and when you are irritated enough email them to let them know how ignorant, intolerant, and abhorrent it is.</p> A call to arms! Atheists around the world must unite against tyranny.tag:atheistnexus.org,2010-05-20:2182797:Topic:8285892010-05-20T06:14:52.950ZYounas Chowdhryhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/YounasChowdhry
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Dear All,</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></br></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am writing to you from Pakistan. I wish to bring to your attention the fact that Muslims across the world are launching protests against the right to free speech and having social networking websites banned in their countries.<br></br></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br></br></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The court in Lahore, Pakistan, issued a sentence today, banning Facebook…</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Dear All,</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am writing to you from Pakistan. I wish to bring to your attention the fact that Muslims across the world are launching protests against the right to free speech and having social networking websites banned in their countries.<br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The court in Lahore, Pakistan, issued a sentence today, banning Facebook for an indefinite period of time. The URL of the social networking site will be blocked by the telecommunication authorities. This action was taken in response to some 20 people protesting against Facebook outside the court.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Newspaper clip:</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/facebook-access-blocked-on-lhc-order-050">http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/facebook-access-blocked-on-lhc-order-050</a><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This entire hue and cry is a response to a facebook page inviting people to submit drawings of Mohammad on the 20<sup>th</sup> of May to challenge the sheer intolerance of Muslims when it comes to bringing their religious beliefs under scrutiny.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The implications of this action can be dire for atheists, free thinkers, non-Muslims and relatively more tolerant Muslims residing in these countries. Such ill-conceived attempts at trying to appease and pander to the religious sensitivities of Muslims can be utilized in future to curtail any semblance of democratic rights that we did enjoy in the past. Today it is facebook, tomorrow it could be who knows what.<br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I call for all atheists and free thinkers to rise up in arms against such despotic attempts to curtail the freedom of expression in countries, such as mine. We could use any and all help that comes our way. Appeal to your media, your governments to pressurize governments like mine into revoking such undemocratic orders.<br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/>The petition:</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/facebook-banned/signatures">http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/facebook-banned/signatures</a><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In solidarity</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br/></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Younas Chowdhry</p> 'Tis the Season for Anti-Atheist Bigotrytag:atheistnexus.org,2009-12-27:2182797:Topic:6640102009-12-27T14:43:15.564Zvjackhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/vjack
There seems to be an upsurge of anti-atheist bigotry this time of year. So nice that Christians feel like showing their true colors during what they claim is a season of peace and all that.<br />
<br />
Here is an example out of Sioux City, IA: <a href="http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_8101d247-0abf-5606-8950-e32412351b4c.html" target="_blank">Atheists continue to 'spew venom'</a>
There seems to be an upsurge of anti-atheist bigotry this time of year. So nice that Christians feel like showing their true colors during what they claim is a season of peace and all that.<br />
<br />
Here is an example out of Sioux City, IA: <a href="http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_8101d247-0abf-5606-8950-e32412351b4c.html" target="_blank">Atheists continue to 'spew venom'</a> Discrimination Against Atheists in Mississippitag:atheistnexus.org,2009-12-15:2182797:Topic:6490892009-12-15T16:41:39.137Zvjackhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/vjack
Montana-based bakery &amp; restaurant, the Grains of Montana, has a franchise in Biloxi, MS, that has been offering a 10% discount to anyone who brings in a church bulletin. According to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, this practice violates the federal Civil Rights Act. In fact, the FFRF helped to resolve an almost identical case recently in North Carolina.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.msatheists.org/2009/12/ask-grains-of-montana-to-stop.html" target="_blank">Mississippi Atheists</a> is trying…
Montana-based bakery &amp; restaurant, the Grains of Montana, has a franchise in Biloxi, MS, that has been offering a 10% discount to anyone who brings in a church bulletin. According to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, this practice violates the federal Civil Rights Act. In fact, the FFRF helped to resolve an almost identical case recently in North Carolina.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.msatheists.org/2009/12/ask-grains-of-montana-to-stop.html" target="_blank">Mississippi Atheists</a> is trying to get the word out by asking atheist activists to contact Grains of Montana via letter or email. Anti-Atheist Bigotry in the New York Daily Newstag:atheistnexus.org,2009-11-14:2182797:Topic:6003102009-11-14T20:22:55.806Zvjackhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/vjack
Daylight Atheist found this little gem: <a href="http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/anti-atheist-bigotry-in-the-daily-news.html" target="_blank">http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/anti-atheist-bigotry-in-the-daily-news.html</a><br />
<br />
It seems to me that anti-atheist bigotry is becoming more widespread. I'm not sure why this is, but I am almost encouraged because it suggests that more of us are willing to speak out about who we are.
Daylight Atheist found this little gem: <a href="http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/anti-atheist-bigotry-in-the-daily-news.html" target="_blank">http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/anti-atheist-bigotry-in-the-daily-news.html</a><br />
<br />
It seems to me that anti-atheist bigotry is becoming more widespread. I'm not sure why this is, but I am almost encouraged because it suggests that more of us are willing to speak out about who we are. The Million Dollar Questiontag:atheistnexus.org,2009-10-26:2182797:Topic:5710192009-10-26T20:37:02.977ZAidenhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Aiden
Just a quick note: this is going to be cross-posted to a few different groups here on A|N due to possible shared-interest.<br />
<br />
I don’t often attend local high school football games, but this was the homecoming game for the school where my wife teaches and our adopted-daughter is a senior. On our way from the parking lot to the gate, we noticed a rather manic street preacher standing atop a makeshift podium/soap-box and there was another guy standing slightly behind him and to his left with a small…
Just a quick note: this is going to be cross-posted to a few different groups here on A|N due to possible shared-interest.<br />
<br />
I don’t often attend local high school football games, but this was the homecoming game for the school where my wife teaches and our adopted-daughter is a senior. On our way from the parking lot to the gate, we noticed a rather manic street preacher standing atop a makeshift podium/soap-box and there was another guy standing slightly behind him and to his left with a small video camera pointed at the people lined up for the game. No one seemed to be paying him very much attention as he rambled on about Jesus and the dangers of the music these kids listen to and apathy and some other non-sense that I was in no mood to even absorb so that I may regurgitate here for your reading pleasure. I’m kind of kicking myself for this now, because I wish I had paid more attention and I might have noticed who it was that handed me the small slip of paper (a $1,000,000 bill with Grant’s portrait) that I had mistakenly assumed was a coupon for a local restaurant, or something to that effect, which I took as it was put out in front of me and I slipped it into my pocket so I could look at it later (hoping it was for a restaurant where I actually like to eat). I didn’t know that the people handing out these pieces of paper were actually cohorts of the aforementioned maniacal preacher.<br />
<br />
Once I returned home and found that slip of paper still in my pocket, I pulled it out and flipped it over from the Grant side to find “Here’s the Million Dollar Question…” written in small, bold lettering, followed by “<b>Are you good enough to go to Heaven?</b>” Before I could even read any further, I exclaimed with great annoyance, “What the fuck?!” and my mind immediately turned to the recent stories about the high school cheerleaders with religious signs at the school’s football games, and other stories about City Council prayers and the FFRF’s effort to squash these pests. Normally, I am not a very confrontational person, but I found this to be in very bad taste and would have liked to point it out to the people handing these things out.<br />
<br />
To make a longer story short, two web sites are listed on this piece of paper:<br />
<a href="http://www.onemilliontracts.com/" target="_blank">www.OneMillionTracts.com</a> which has a bunch of Ray Comfort books for sale…<br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.eastcoastevangelism.com/" target="_blank">www.EastCoastEvangelism.com</a> whose front page features a video about a “former lesbian saved by grace through faith for the glory of God” among other equally asinine assaults on human intellect…<br />
<br />
This would be easier if I had access to a scanner right now, but there’s some stupid stuff on the front which I found annoyingly funny. In place of the serial number normally found on US currency, it says <b>JN 316RU4GOD</b>. Under and illegible signature, it says “<b>Department of Eternal Affairs</b>”.<br />
<br />
For anyone who is interested, here is the full text (verbatim) of the evangelical propaganda I received:<br />
<br />
<b>Here’s the Million Dollar Question…</b> Are you good enough to go to Heaven? Let’s see if you are a good person. Have you ever told a lie? White lies, fibs, and exaggerations are all considered lies to God. If you have, then you are a liar. Have you ever stolen anything (the value doesn’t matter)? If you have, then you are a thief. Have you ever murdered anybody? The Bible says <b>“Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).</b> Have you ever hated anybody? If so, then God sees you as a murderer. On the Day of Judgment, will you be innocent or guilty? If you are reasonable, you will see that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. The good news is that’s not God’s will. Picture yourself in a courtroom, guilty of many serious crimes. The fine is $500,000 or life in prison. You don’t have any money with which to pay your fine. The guards begin to lead you off to jail. All of a sudden, someone you don’t even know steps in and pays your fine for you. You are free to go. How would that make you feel? That’s what Jesus Christ did for you 2,000 years ago. He paid the penalty for your sins by dying on the cross. He defeated death by rising from the dead three days later. The Bible expresses it like this: <b>“God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For God so loved the world, that He gave us his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).</b> God promises eternal life to those who confess and forsake their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone to save them. Confess your sins to God (name them) and forsake them once and for all. Then place your faith in Jesus. Don’t put it off until tomorrow! You may not have tomorrow. Read your Bible and obey what you read. God will never let you down. Tony Blair Calls Believers to Unite Against Atheiststag:atheistnexus.org,2009-10-10:2182797:Topic:5459822009-10-10T16:58:07.015Zvjackhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/vjack
In a <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6864775.ece" target="_blank">recent speech at Georgetown</a>, Tony Blair equated atheists to religious extremists and urged the deluded (i.e., faithful) to unite against us. Seeing this sort of bigotry from someone of Blair's prominence is disturbing.
In a <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6864775.ece" target="_blank">recent speech at Georgetown</a>, Tony Blair equated atheists to religious extremists and urged the deluded (i.e., faithful) to unite against us. Seeing this sort of bigotry from someone of Blair's prominence is disturbing. YouTube Pulls Atheist Video After Making Front Page of Digg.comtag:atheistnexus.org,2009-10-07:2182797:Topic:5410802009-10-07T21:09:47.514Zvjackhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/vjack
I won't make the mistake of calling this censorship - it isn't, but this does appear to be yet another indicator of how despised we are.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disinfo.com/2009/01/youtube-pulls-atheist-video-after-making-front-page-of-digg-com/">http://www.disinfo.com/2009/01/youtube-pulls-atheist-video-after-making-front-page-of-digg-com/</a>
I won't make the mistake of calling this censorship - it isn't, but this does appear to be yet another indicator of how despised we are.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.disinfo.com/2009/01/youtube-pulls-atheist-video-after-making-front-page-of-digg-com/">http://www.disinfo.com/2009/01/youtube-pulls-atheist-video-after-making-front-page-of-digg-com/</a> Cancer Victim Fired For Being Atheist - Needs Financial Help.tag:atheistnexus.org,2009-05-21:2182797:Topic:3350342009-05-21T20:43:17.557ZDrewhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Drew84
Cancer Victim Fired For Being Atheist - Needs Financial Help.<br />
<br />
Amanda Donaldson has been fired from her job for being an atheist; losing her medical insurance while fighting cancer. This is way more important than the usual narcisstic blogs people post here. If we can donate for atheism ads on buses, surely we can help give Amanda not only the financial help her family needs, but equally importantly the emotional support they need too. I've already donated. Surely you can afford to help a bit…
Cancer Victim Fired For Being Atheist - Needs Financial Help.<br />
<br />
Amanda Donaldson has been fired from her job for being an atheist; losing her medical insurance while fighting cancer. This is way more important than the usual narcisstic blogs people post here. If we can donate for atheism ads on buses, surely we can help give Amanda not only the financial help her family needs, but equally importantly the emotional support they need too. I've already donated. Surely you can afford to help a bit too? Please let me know you read, and cared. Please disseminate this to your local athesit/Humanist group.<br />
<br />
Read about it:<br />
<a href="http://atheism.about.com/b/2009/05/21/el-dorado-chiropractic-fires-woman-for-being-an-atheist.htm">http://atheism.about.com/b/2009/05/21/el-dorado-chiropractic-fires-woman-for-being-an-atheist.htm</a><br />
<br />
Find the website:<br />
<a href="http://saveamanda.com/Donate.aspx">http://saveamanda.com/Donate.aspx</a>